Damien Lee, Author at Yellowhead Institute

Damien Lee

@damienlee Dr. Damien Lee is a cis-gendered racially-white man who belongs with Anishinaabeg of the northern shore of Lake Superior. He was adopted as an infant into Fort William First Nation in accordance with Anishinaabe law, and raised as Anishinaabe by his family. Dr. Lee’s research focuses primarily on the resurgence of Indigenous legal and governance systems; he is also considered an expert on First Nations band membership issues. Mentored by Anishinaabe knowledge holders Doug Williams and Marlene Pierre, Dr. Lee is an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Arts, Department of Sociology at Ryerson University and holds the Canada Research Chair in Biskaabiiyang and Indigenous Political Resurgence.

Happy New Year to Everyone but Non-Status Kids: Jordan’s Principle & Canada’s Persistent Discrimination

By Damien Lee / January 8, 2021 May 27, 2022

If federal lawyers are successful in challenging the latest Candian Human Rights Tribunal Ruling on Jordan’s Principle, there are implications for Indigenous jurisdiction over citizenship. If a community recognizes a non-status child as a band member, shouldn’t they be eligible for Jordan’s Principle support? According to Canada, the answer is no. According to Damien Lee, this is ultimately an act of political violence.

Stan Williams Image: Two deer walking into the forest

Re-Affirming Indigenous Citizenships: Two Spirit Family-Making and the Future of Belonging

By Damien Lee / March 4, 2020 May 23, 2022

In the 35 years since Section 10 band membership codes began allowing First Nations to control their membership lists, an increasing number of people have challenged the ways their communities determine belonging. Authors of this brief show that two-spirit families are ushering in a new era of challenges that bring Section 10 heteropatriachy to the fore.

Introducing Yellowhead Institute: Indigenous Strategies for Transformative Change

By Damien Lee / November 6, 2018 May 24, 2022

On October 23, 2018, Yellowhead Institute held an official launch event centred on the pending Indigenous Rights, Recognition and Implementation Framework legislation. Here, we share highlights from the event and panel discussion, where three key themes emerged regarding the framework: Regional Contexts, Exclusion of Women, Queer, Trans and Two-Spirit Perspectives and Treaties, Relationship and the Land.

A Brief Assessment of Canada’s Collaborative Process on Indian Registration, Band Membership and First Nation Citizenship

By Damien Lee / July 23, 2018 May 22, 2022

Yellowhead Associate Fellow, Damien Lee considers the impending and dramatic changes to Indian Status rules and the consequences for Indigenous notions of belonging and relationality.

Damien Lee

Happy New Year to Everyone but Non-Status Kids: Jordan’s Principle & Canada’s Persistent Discrimination

Re-Affirming Indigenous Citizenships: Two Spirit Family-Making and the Future of Belonging

Introducing Yellowhead Institute: Indigenous Strategies for Transformative Change

A Brief Assessment of Canada’s Collaborative Process on Indian Registration, Band Membership and First Nation Citizenship

Yellowhead Institute generates critical Indigenous policy perspectives.

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